1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Voltaren gel

Posted by toddybob @toddybob, Sep 19, 2022

My wife has chronic pain in her hip and hamstring. MRI negative. Physical Therapy no help. Acupuncture no help. Is Voltaren gel safe to try? I read it can cause liver damage.

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 21, 2022
In reply to @kilh "@contentandwell Hi, when I was in rehab and extended care, Voltaren was used on both feet..." + (show)
@kilh

@contentandwell Hi, when I was in rehab and extended care, Voltaren was used on both feet at night. The Rx Diclofenac is a stronger % than what you can buy OTC which is only 1%. Anything higher you need an RX.
For me the OTC is fine but the RX works that much better. KLH

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@kilh I didn't realize there was a different in the strengths. I had a rare side effect so I stopped using it entirely.
JK

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1 reply
jan33 | @jan33 | Sep 21, 2022

Only if you use it beyond instructions

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1 reply
Teri | @tsc | Sep 21, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "I never heard of that. I'm pretty sure my doc hasn't either! She and I both..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I never heard of that. I'm pretty sure my doc hasn't either! She and I both use it there.

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My rheumatologist told me that acetamenophin is the preferred pain killer for arthritis. two 325 mg pills vs. the extra strength pills. He said Voltaren is not as strong as an orally taken NSAID. At that time I didn't know about the shoulder/neck warning so I didn't ask him. The acetamenophin works pretty good for me. I also use ultrasound on my shoulder/bicep area when it's especially painful.

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2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 21, 2022
In reply to @tsc "My rheumatologist told me that acetamenophin is the preferred pain killer for arthritis. two 325 mg..." + (show)
@tsc

My rheumatologist told me that acetamenophin is the preferred pain killer for arthritis. two 325 mg pills vs. the extra strength pills. He said Voltaren is not as strong as an orally taken NSAID. At that time I didn't know about the shoulder/neck warning so I didn't ask him. The acetamenophin works pretty good for me. I also use ultrasound on my shoulder/bicep area when it's especially painful.

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Teri, it is great that acetomenophin works for you. The only time it works for me is post-surgery, when alternated with an NSAID to control post-op pain. For my arthritis, NSAID's work, but I have probably exceeded a reasonable "lifetime limit" many times over in the past 39 years, so I rely on other strategies.
Voltaren or diclofenac gel takes the edge off on bad days, especially alternated with an essential oil roll-on that contains a number of oils with anti-inflammatory properties, and combined with deep breathing, meditation & stretching.
Some day there will be a cure!
Sue

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1 reply
kilh | @kilh | Sep 21, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "@kilh I didn't realize there was a different in the strengths. I had a rare side..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@kilh I didn't realize there was a different in the strengths. I had a rare side effect so I stopped using it entirely.
JK

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@contentandwell, I did not either till recently when I run and ordered more. The gel did not seem to last as well. So I started reading about Voltaren and found there were different strengths but all not OTC available.
I had a brand new tube to start from the Rx but some how it never got put with my things to go home. I may message my doc and find out. Hope you are staying healthy and well. KLH

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jashandley21 | @jashandley21 | Sep 22, 2022
In reply to @jan33 "Only if you use it beyond instructions" + (show)
@jan33

Only if you use it beyond instructions

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never was told that have used it all over, now i must ck. thanks for the info.

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Teri | @tsc | Sep 22, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Teri, it is great that acetomenophin works for you. The only time it works for me..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Teri, it is great that acetomenophin works for you. The only time it works for me is post-surgery, when alternated with an NSAID to control post-op pain. For my arthritis, NSAID's work, but I have probably exceeded a reasonable "lifetime limit" many times over in the past 39 years, so I rely on other strategies.
Voltaren or diclofenac gel takes the edge off on bad days, especially alternated with an essential oil roll-on that contains a number of oils with anti-inflammatory properties, and combined with deep breathing, meditation & stretching.
Some day there will be a cure!
Sue

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I find , too, @sueinmn, that an infrared lamp and infrared heating pad provide relief.

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Teri | @tsc | Sep 22, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "@tsc I was on Diclofenac, the prescription name for Voltaren before Voltaren became an OTC drug...." + (show)
@contentandwell

@tsc I was on Diclofenac, the prescription name for Voltaren before Voltaren became an OTC drug. Not using it on my upper body was never mentioned but I was on it for my hip so perhaps the doctor didn't find it necessary to mention it.
JK

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Thank you!

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anet | @anet | Sep 23, 2022
In reply to @tsc "My rheumatologist told me that acetamenophin is the preferred pain killer for arthritis. two 325 mg..." + (show)
@tsc

My rheumatologist told me that acetamenophin is the preferred pain killer for arthritis. two 325 mg pills vs. the extra strength pills. He said Voltaren is not as strong as an orally taken NSAID. At that time I didn't know about the shoulder/neck warning so I didn't ask him. The acetamenophin works pretty good for me. I also use ultrasound on my shoulder/bicep area when it's especially painful.

Jump to this post

What is the shoulder/neck warning associated with Voltaren?

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3 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 23, 2022
In reply to @anet "What is the shoulder/neck warning associated with Voltaren?" + (show)
@anet

What is the shoulder/neck warning associated with Voltaren?

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I can't find one. Can someone please help here? Even their own Web site has no such caution.

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